Identification of diseases with the help of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used in almost all fields. In the same direction, AI is now being used on a large scale in India to strengthen the health sector. With the help of AI-based technology, diagnosis of diseases is being done in patients. Along with this, telemedicine and surveillance tools are being included in public health programs. This is helping in early identification and treatment of the disease. With the help of AI, there is a lot of benefit in controlling diseases like TB.
Along with this, the use of telemedicine is also increasing, due to which patients are getting the facility to talk to doctors sitting at home. This initiative is an important step towards the goal of Developed India 2047, where efforts are being made to provide health coverage through technology.
In March 2024, the Central Government under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the India AI Mission. Its budget is Rs 10,371.92 crore. Its objective was to promote the treatment of patients in the health sector through AI. With the help of AI, health related help was provided to the people living in rural areas and the diseases spread at the community level were to be controlled.
Use of AI to eliminate TB
The Health Ministry has included AI in many national programs. AI based tools were also used to eliminate TB. Its major benefit was that a 27 percent reduction was recorded in serious cases of TB. Similarly, 282 million telemedicine consultations were done through the e Sanjeevani platform between April 2023 and November 2025. This helped about 1.2 crore patients across the country. The advantage of this was that the patients did not need to go to the hospital to get advice from the doctor and the consultation took place at home.
Use of AI for Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
AI was also used for Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. In 2018, NITI Aayog’s National Strategy for AI described AI, robotics and Internet of Medical Things as the new nervous system in healthcare. Apart from this, an agreement was also signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and IIT Kanpur in October 2024.
AI is being used as per ICMR guidelines
From treatment to diagnosis of diseases, AI is being used as per the ethical guidelines of ICMR. Its advantage is that the patients’ data is secure and the confidentiality of their diseases is maintained.
